Madhubala’s career and life:
——————————-
- Birth and Early Life:
- Born on February 14, 1933, in Delhi, India, Madhubala’s real name was Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi.
- She came from a conservative Pashtun family of eleven children.
- Her father moved the family to Bombay (now Mumbai) after losing his job in Delhi.
- Early Career:
- Madhubala started working in the film industry at the age of 9 as a child artist, under the screen name “Baby Mumtaz.”
- She made her first on-screen appearance in the film Basant (1942).
- Her breakthrough as a leading actress came with Neel Kamal (1947), where she was only 14 years old.
- Rise to Stardom:
- In the 1950s, Madhubala rose to prominence, becoming one of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema.
- She starred in several hit films, such as Mahal (1949), Tarana (1951), and Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955).
- She worked with iconic actors like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Ashok Kumar.
- Most Iconic Role:
- Madhubala’s role as Anarkali in the historical epic Mughal-e-Azam (1960) is her most famous and enduring performance.
- The film was one of the most expensive and successful films of its time and remains a classic in Indian cinema.
- Beauty and Charisma:
- Madhubala was often referred to as “The Venus of Indian Cinema” because of her unparalleled beauty.
- Her stunning screen presence and charm made her a popular icon not just in India but internationally as well.
- International Recognition:
- In 1952, Theatre Arts Magazine of the US featured Madhubala in an article, describing her as “The Biggest Star in the World” and “The Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood.”
- Health Issues:
- Madhubala was born with a ventricular septal defect (a hole in the heart), which was a serious medical condition during that era.
- Despite her condition, she continued to work in films, but her health worsened over time.
- Personal Life:
- Madhubala had a long and complicated relationship with actor Dilip Kumar, which ended in a highly publicized breakup.
- She later married singer Kishore Kumar in 1960.
- Final Years and Death:
- Due to her deteriorating health, Madhubala stopped acting in the early 1960s.
- She passed away on February 23, 1969, just nine days after her 36th birthday.
- Legacy:
- Despite her short life and career, Madhubala left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
- Her performances, especially in films like Mughal-e-Azam, continue to be remembered, and she remains one of the most celebrated actresses in Bollywood history.
- In 2008, a life-size wax figure of Madhubala in her Anarkali costume from Mughal-e-Azam was unveiled at the Madame Tussauds museum in Delhi, solidifying her legacy as an evergreen icon.
